Having a family holiday is something to cherish and look forward to, whether you are able to have one every year or it’s a less regular occurrence. Getting away from it all with the kids and your partner is the best way to enjoy their company when you are not working or worrying about anything else that is happening at home.
The problem is, although the holiday itself should be relaxing, getting ready for it can be extremely stressful. There is so much to think about that some people become very stressed, and it doesn’t make for a good start to your time away together. Here, then, are some useful tips on how to get organised for your holiday ahead of time; this way, you should be able to enjoy the process much more.
Pre-Book
Although it can be fun to leave things to chance and see what happens and what opportunities present themselves, for the most part, it’s much better to book things in advance to guarantee them. Your airport parking and your transfers once you arrive at your destination are great examples of this.
The more you can book in advance, the better when it comes to getting prepared for your holiday, but be careful; if you book too much, you might find you run out of time and can’t fit it all in, or you might spend half of your holiday running from one place to the next in a regimented manner. Book the essentials, like theme park tickets if you are heading to Orlando (read more here) and have a backup list of things you want to see and do. If there is time and you can do it without rushing or stressing, then you can add them to the itinerary.
Prepare Your Home
One of the things that can become truly stressful but that many people don’t consider until it is upon them is preparing their home for the time they are going to be away. In other words, in most cases, it’s not possible to simply lock up and go; there will be things you need to organise at home to ensure that when you return, everything is as it should be. These include:
- Arranging for someone to pick up your mail (or have it kept at the post office)
- Telling your security company you’ll be away and for how long
- Deciding whether to leave the heating on
- Letting your neighbours know you’ll be on holiday
- Making sure everything is unplugged
Make a list of what needs to be done so that you are not rushing around on the day you are meant to be leaving for your holiday. You want to be calm and relaxed and able to think clearly, and a list will help with that. Prepare well in advance so you know it is complete.
Packing
The later you leave your packing, the more stressful it will be. It is best to pack a week or so in advance as this will leave you plenty of time to pick up anything you have forgotten and to ensure the clothes you want to take with you are clean and suitable.
Not only can you make sure your clothes are how you want them, but you can also check your luggage. If you don’t use it too often you might find that it has suffered damage since the last holiday you were on, and again you will have time to find another suitcase if you need to. Leaving everything until the morning of your holiday means there is no time to grab anything, even essentials, from the shop.
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